Trump's health secretary refuses Democrats' request to testify on separated kids

HHS Secretary Alex Azar has declined a request to testify on the Trump administration's policy of separating migrant families at the border, angering House Democrats who accused the administration of "stonewalling" their investigation into the controversial practice.

House Energy and Commerce Chairman Frank Pallone (D-N.J.), who announced earlier this month plans to hold a hearing on the administration's separation policy, had personally asked Azar to testify, a committee spokesperson told POLITICO. Azar's office declined the request Tuesday afternoon, the spokesperson said.

"It has been eight months since this cruel policy came to light, and Secretary Azar has yet to appear before Congress at a hearing specifically on this policy," Pallone said in a statement, calling Azar's refusal "unacceptable."

Azar's rejection comes as House Democrats begin to flex new investigatory powers to probe the Trump administration's border policy, which resulted in thousands of children being separated from their parents. HHS officials said the policy — designed by the White House and other agencies — was haphazardly introduced and administered, as they have defended their care for the children. Public health groups broadly condemned the separations, warning they likely caused trauma to children.

https://www.politico.com/story/2019/01/22/health-secretary-testify-seperated-children-1119744